mama scout lab e-course

Monday, December 30, 2013

{2014} guiding word (mine + yours}

Most people are familiar with the idea of picking a guiding word for each new year in lieu of a list of resolutions. A guide word can help shape your days without predicating strict rules to live by. It is a whisper in your ear, a gentle suggestion, and a road map all rolled into one. If you have not picked one in the past give it a try! You can read my post last year that gives a little more guidance and a handful of prompts that will help you out.

This year I wanted a different word. Not something energetic and inspirational because to be quite honest, I have those tendencies in surplus. I can find inspiration in a gum wrapper. No, this year, I chose a word that will act a totem for something I want to explore and study on a much deeper level.

That word is : story.

After a full year of leading a variety of labs and participating in various online communities, and reading (always reading), it hit me (or i was reminded) that all we are made up of are stories. The way we see the world, the way we react, the way we love - all come from the stories that govern our lives.

I know nothing about psychology of counseling. But I have seen supernova strength healing just from the simple act of sharing a story. Writing it down. Telling it. And listening to a sister's tale.

In both real life and online - we just want a voice with which to tell their stories.

Stories are meditative maps that can lead you where ever you desire. As soon as you realize that you are both the cartographer and voyager e v e r y t h i n g opens up.

6 comments:

Too funny. I had just hit "publish" on my word for the year when I got yours in my inbox. I love your word and would steal it if I hadn't committed to my own-- LIGHT. Still, I'm diggin' your ideas about art and film and reading more and writing my own. Mind if I join you?

You can find my word-- and my thoughts on it-- at http://runningmonologue.com/?ci=23323

love your word and the reason behind it - i am sure it will be fabulous for you! My word is nourish and my blog post is going up tomorrow - starting off the new year ready to go... Here is to 2014 - may it be wonderful for us all xx